Police commissioner candidates outline their vision today (From Bucks Free Press)

Police commissioner candidates outline their vision today

10:23am Monday 29th October 2012 in News

THE six candidates vying to be Thames Valley's first ever Police and Crime Commissioner will be grilled by the public later today.

The aspiring police chiefs will be quizzed by members of the public in an elections hustings this afternoon in Aylesbury.

With the vote taking place in just over two weeks, the contenders will lay out their vision for tackling crime.

The main task for the new bosses will be to decide on what the force's priorities should be.

However, the new role has come under fire from critics, who have questioned the need for a political figure head to oversee each of the UK's police forces.

Furthermore, candidates require no police experience whatsoever.

None of the would be chiefs standing for Thames Valley have a force background.

Ex-Metropolitan Police chief Sir Ian Blair has told voters to boycott the election, saying it is the wrong system for the country.

Already, predictions have been for low turn outs, with public awareness of the elections reportedly low.

Commissioners will earn between £65,000 and £100,000 and serve for three-and-a-half years.

Police authorities have been scrapped to make way for the commissioners, who will take charge of budgets and overall strategy and can hire and fire chief constables.

Councillor Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, said: "The meeting today will give each of them the opportunity to explain how they would undertake the role, for example explaining their spending priorities in order to improve policing."

The ballot is on November 15.

The hustings takes place today at The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, from 4.30pm but places must be booked in advance via the following means: Email pccevent@buckscc.gov.uk or telephone 01296 387738 by midday on Monday 29 October.

Bucks New University in High Wycombe has announced it will hold a public debate on November 7 but places will be limited and decided on a first come, first serve basis.

The full list of candidates for the Thames Valley Region.

•Patience Tayo Awe - Independent

•Barry Cooper - UKIP

•Geoff Howard - Independent

•John Orrell Howson - Liberal Democrat

•Anthony Stansfeld - The Conservative Party

•Tim Starkey - Labour Party